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Yang W, Liu Y, Zhang G, Yao Y, Wang Y, Leng D, Li C, Liu K, Liu J, Pu Y, Li M, Yang B, Zhang S, Mu D, Zhang X. Health literacy and associated factors in China: findings from the Wa ethnic group. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1407593. [PMID: 38979042 PMCID: PMC11228141 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1407593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The health literacy of ethnic groups in remote areas of China is far from satisfactory. However, the health literacy of ethnic groups in China remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the health literacy of the "advancing directly" ethnic group and its influencing factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a staged sampling method among the Wa ethnic group, who have rapidly transitioned directly from the traditional lifestyle of slash-and-burn cultivation to modern societies. We used the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) to assess health literacy. We defined low health literacy as less than 60% of the total score and adequate health literacy as more than 80% of the total score. Results A total of 668 individuals met the inclusion criteria and the mean age was 42.19 (SD 10.56) years. The mean HLQ total score was 29.9 (SD 10.56). The prevalence of adequate health literacy was 0.89%. There were significant differences between the low and the non-low health literacy groups in terms of gender, age, education, marital status, occupation, residing place, current smoking status, and waist circumference (all p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that women (t = 9·418, p < 0.001), older age (B = -0.0091, t = -2.644, p = 0.008), low educational level (B = 0.766, t = 6.018, p < 0.001), current smoking (B = -2.66, t = -3.038, p = 0.008), and residence far from township (B = -5.761, t = -4.1, p < 0.001) were associated with low HLQ total score. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the health literacy of the Wa ethnic group is far from favorable. It indicates the need for increased efforts in improving the health literacy of "advancing directly" ethnic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqiu Yang
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- School of Medicine, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Yunnan Provincial Center for Population and Health Publicity and Education, Kunming, China
| | - Guangjie Zhang
- School of Vocational and Continuing Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yu Yao
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yanqing Wang
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Dan Leng
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Chaoxiao Li
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Kunjie Liu
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiazhou Liu
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yongjie Pu
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Mufei Li
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Borui Yang
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Shuting Zhang
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Di Mu
- School of Ethnology and Sociology, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Hu H, Xu Y, Shao Y, Liang Y, Wang Q, Luo S, Lu H, Meng H, Liu C. A latent profile analysis of residents' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward common chronic diseases among ethnic minority area in China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:940619. [PMID: 35958853 PMCID: PMC9357989 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.940619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundHealth literacy plays an important role in preventing and managing chronic diseases, while low levels of health literacy among ethnic minorities are a major manifestation of health inequities. We believe that before effective health literacy intervention strategies, it is preferable to understand the features of health literacy among ethnic minorities. The present study firstly updated insights on health literacy among ethnic minorities by investigating the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) profile of common chronic diseases in ethnic minority areas, and secondly discussed the KAP profiles in detail to inspire future health education interventions.MethodsA cross-sectional, health-literacy-sensitive study was conducted in China's typical ethnic minority area. Participants included 801 adult residents who lived in the ethnic minority area. The primary outcome was participant scores on the KAP questionnaire of common chronic diseases, followed by latent profile analysis to identify participants with similar KAP score patterns and determine whether membership in specific groups was associated with demographic or clinical characteristics.ResultsThe participants included 496 ethnic minorities (61.9%) and 305 Han Chinese (38.1%). Three-profile solution was determined after the latent profile analysis: incomplete transfer [I.T.] (n = 215), better practice [B.P.] (n = 301), and average [A.V.] (n = 285). IT group (26.84%) was characterized by the highest level of knowledge and attitude toward common chronic diseases and below average level for practice. Participants in B.P. group performed poorly in both knowledge and attitude toward common chronic diseases but had the highest level of practice. A.V. group reflected average knowledge, attitude, and practice toward common chronic diseases among three subgroups. Ethnic minorities were the dominant population in A.V. group (68.8%). Compared with other groups, the A.V. group contained the largest proportions of married participants (84.2%), participants with no formal education (46.7%), and high annual out-of-pocket medical expense (33.3%).ConclusionA more specific and nuanced understanding of minority health literacy can enable service providers to provide more effective health education to their recipients, thereby improving health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaqin Hu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yihua Xu
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Yihua Xu
| | - Yingshan Shao
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaxin Liang
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Shunmei Luo
- Lincang Second People's Hospital, Lincang, China
| | - Heyun Lu
- Lincang Second People's Hospital, Lincang, China
| | - Heng Meng
- School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chenxi Liu
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Chenxi Liu
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